Comic Adenekan wins funding for his Fringe debut

Ayo Adenekan is having his Edinburgh Fringe production costs paid under a new bursary.

He receives the first  Brass Tacks Debut Fund, aimed at Scottish comedians making their festival debut, having seen off competition from 50 more than other applicants.

The   Edinburgh-based comic said: ‘I applied because this was an amazing opportunity - being able to make my Fringe debut without having to bear the financial burden was a major factor for me. The fact the fund was created for Scottish acts, by a Scottish company, made me even more eager to apply because I feel the Scottish scene is often overlooked, even on our own doorstep.’

Adenekan  came third place So You Think You’re Funny?  in 2024, and since then has performed at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival and provided tour support for the likes of Sarah Keyworth and Olga Koch. 

His debut, Black Mediocrity, is described as a look at identity and belonging through the lens of a black, bisexual man living in an overwhelmingly white city and will be staged at the Cabaret Voltaire, which is this year being run by Monkey Barrel.

Katie Palmer, who runs Brass Tacks Comedy said: ‘It was an incredibly difficult process to narrow down the applications, but Ayo stood out as someone with so much talent and stage presence, tackling really important subject matter in such a warm and effortless way. I’m so proud to be working with Ayo on his debut.’

The promoters will also invite all 50 rising comedians who applied for the fund to a comedy industry workshop to give them tips on their career, which is also open to other acts. Free tickets are available here.

The project has been supported by Red Bull and covers registration costs, venue costs, paid PR support, street team, poster and flyer printing, technician costs and bespoke marketing costs – but not accommodation.

Published: 8 Apr 2025